Chapter 21: See you

On March 28, 1944, the lord of the lord arrived in Jiangning. Before that, all the guards of Jiangning Weaving Mansion had been taken over by the guard camp that had arrived earlier.

The Cao family was filled with joy. The old lady, Li and Zhao Jia were all dressed according to the grade, waiting to meet the empresses who came with them.

Cao Yong did not go to school, and also wore a dress according to his title. In the side hall of the east wing of the front yard, he followed the eldest son of the official family of Jiangning City to pay tribute to the emperor. According to the past, on the first day of the arrival of the sage, in addition to the officials in the city, the eldest son of the 10-year-old official family of each official family also had to pay respect to the sage. In the following days, the emperor summoned officials at all levels according to the arrangement.

The princes of each family were dressed up and established according to their father's title and official position. In fact, if we talk about it, Cao Yong should be the first son of a civil servant, because not only Cao Yin has the second-rank baron, but he himself is the first-class master of the third-rank first-class master. However, Cao Yong acted in a low-key manner and was most annoying. Standing at the top, he had to deal with the emperor's questions and face the slanting eyes of others, he was unwilling to do so. Therefore, according to Cao Yin's fifth-rank official position, he stood behind the two princes of the prefect's family and the Tongzhi family of the Jiangnan Yanshi Envoy, followed by Cao Song and the sons of several other low-rank officials.

On the other side, the head of the military officer was an eighteen-nine-year-old boy with a slightly dark complexion, wearing a new big dress, and two jade pendants as big as fists hanging under his waist. During the years and holidays, Cao Yong also went out for social events with Cao Yin several times, but this was the first time this boy saw him. Thinking of the newly transferred general Wan Jiha who had heard several times, it seemed that this was his son. His heroic and arrogant attitude really looked like a general. He was just a little arrogant and looked at everyone, and his eyes occasionally flew towards everyone, and he was also a little contempt.

It was the first time Cao Song saw the carriage. He was excited and nervous. He ran to Cao Yong and whispered. Seeing that he was full of childishness and was not at all steady, Cao Yong was worried that he would lose his manners in front of him, so he told him that according to what his elders taught him, he would not look up, act rashly, or speak casually. Although it was the first time Cao Yong would pay his respects with everyone, he had seen the carriage two years ago and was calm.

Although Wan Jiha's son did not know the two Cao Yong brothers, he saw Cao Song's words and deeds casually, as if he was at home, not as reserved as other young men. He then spoke "brother". The one who kept talking "brother" knew that it was a member of the Cao family. He glanced at him and snorted coldly.

After Kangxi met all the officials, it was the turn of these officials' children to meet. He weaving the main courtyard of the main road of the Mansion. As the emperor's southern tour several times, it had long been expanded from the original seven rooms into a hall. Kangxi accepted the audience of civil and military officials in Jiangning in the main hall and the greetings of the children of local officials in the side hall.

Under the leadership of an eunuch, Cao Yong and others calmed down, lowered their heads and entered the side hall in turn, stood in the hall just now, and then knelt down amid the eunuch's "Rewarding the Holy Holy" sound of a ritual eunuch, and said in unison: "Rewarding the Holy Holy Holy Holy Holy Holy, Long Live!" Then there was a three-kneeling and nine-kow-kowing ceremony.

Kangxi said with a bit of gentleness, "Get up!"

Everyone stood up. Seeing that the person standing in the east side was familiar, Kangxi looked at him for a few more times before he recognized that he was the legitimate son of Wanjiha. Yongqing's mother was a royal family and the princess from Prince Kang's mansion. He was considered to be Kangxi's niece. Seeing him wearing a ring, Kangxi asked with a kind look: "How about riding and shooting, how many stone bows can you drive?"

"If you say "Long Live Master, I'll get two and a half stones, and three stones are a bit difficult!" Yongqing replied on his knees according to the rules.

Kangxi nodded: "Okay, don't lose the style of the Eight Banners men. Your father taught him well!"

Yongqing kowtowed again, stood up, and returned to his original position, which was considered to have completed this answer.

Kangxi looked at the west side again and saw that Cao Yong was not standing in the first place. He was slightly stunned and asked the first boy, "Who is your name? Whose son is it?"

The young man with a slightly bookish aroma came out and bowed to his head and replied: "When I say to Master Long live, my student is Ma Jun, and my father is the prefect of Jiangning."

When Kangxi heard the boy claiming to be a student, he knew that he had fame and fortune, so he asked a few words about the provincial examination this autumn.

When Ma Jun returned, Kangxi looked at Cao Yong and saw that his little head was hanging low, so he had to be so rude. He thought of the fifteenth prince who was the same age as him in the palace, and wanted to tease him, and said with a frown: "Where is Cao Yong, the son of Cao Yin?"

When Cao Yong heard Kangxi and the two of them answered, he thought it was almost done. Unexpectedly, there was something wrong. Although he was a little surprised, he did not show any signs on his face. He responded and knelt down and replied: "Slave Cao Yong, please pay me a blessing to Master Long Live!" He was full of complaints in his heart. What a system? Although the Cao family was not Manchu, he had to follow Manchu's rules because he was in the flag and called himself a slave. Fortunately, he was prepared and knew that he was here to kneel down today. He asked Huixin to make two soft cloth pads early, tied them to his knees, and he didn't feel uncomfortable.

When Kangxi saw that Cao Yong was not surprised, his tone was neither humble nor arrogant, he was not old, but he was steady in his youth, he couldn't help but be happy for Cao Yin. If he survived a disaster, he would have good fortune. This should be a good thing.

"I ask you, are you still shooting 500 arrows every day like you did last year?"

Cao Yong replied: "Reply to Master Long Live, starting from last month, I will practice archery every three days, five hundred at a time!"

Kangxi nodded: "It seems that he has achieved some success. I wonder how your father has achieved his true teachings. What is his homework? Which book has he learned?"

"Reply to the words of Master Long Live, I am learning "Spring and Autumn Annals." After replying, Cao Yong was surprised. The old man above wanted to gossip about it, right? He wanted to be the first to be a bird? He swept to both sides from the corner of his eyes, and he really gained a bunch of envious and jealous eyes.

"How many emperors are recorded in the Spring and Autumn Period, and how many years have passed before and after?" Kangxi continued to ask.

At this time, there is no technical content. Anyone who has read "Spring and Autumn" knows the answer. If he asks something else, he is just ignorant. If he can't answer this question, he is a fool. Therefore, Cao Yong had to bite the bullet and replied: "Reply to the words of Master Long live, the twelve emperors recorded in "Spring and Autumn" will last for 242 years."

"Well, it's not bad. It seems that I have put my heart into it. Don't be proud, you have to continue!" Kangxi praised.

Cao Yong vaguely felt something was wrong. The emperor's behavior was a bit deliberate. I wonder if it was a disguised expression of kindness to the Cao family and to show others.

Kangxi advised all the children of officials, even if they had finished their reception, they stood up and left their seats. Everyone knelt down and gave the priest respectfully. Then, as the Tathagata was led by the eunuch, everyone retreated from the side hall in turn.

After returning to the front yard, everyone could go back to their homes after finishing their errands. Cao Yong felt hungry and had breakfast early, and lunch was delayed again. After saying goodbye to the young masters around him, he wanted to go back to his yard.

"Brother Cao Shi, stay!" Ning Chun, who was standing between Ma Jun and Cao Yong when he was lined up, spoke. Ning Chun was the son of Si Tongzhi, the commander of Jiangnan salt transportation. He was fourteen and five years old, with a slightly fat figure, and he smiled at everyone.

"Brother Ning Shi, you're welcome. Just call me my name!" Cao Yong said politely. This fat man had known him as a guest at the Ning family with Cao Yin. No wonder he said that the salt iron yamen is full of oil and water. The Ning family is one of the most wealthy families in Jiangning City. Ning Chun is even a playboy among the playboys, who eats, drinks, gambles, and has nothing to do. However, he is kind by nature and has a lot of money in his hands, so he doesn't do anything to bully men and dominate women, because he has no bad reputation.

"I know that I want to meet you brothers today, so I booked Ruyifang and invited me to have a drink. If anyone said I wouldn't go, I won't accept it!" Ning Chun said carelessly.

Cao Yong couldn't help but feel a little moved. He didn't have to go to school these days, and he was just free.

The soldiers of the military generals were almost dispersed, and only Yongqing stayed in place, holding his chest and looking at Cao Yong. The children of the civil servants were the only brothers of the Cao family, Ma Jun and Ning Chun.

Ma Jun said with a little embarrassedly: "Brother Ning Shi, forgive me. The sir is still waiting for me to go back to home to do my homework, I am afraid I can't be with you!"

Ning Chun pretended to be angry and said, "No, no, if you don't go, you'll hit your brother in the face. Send the boys back and tell me, if the gentleman dares to talk, he will quit him. Brother, please ask someone to find something for Brother Shi!"

Ma Jun was shy and saw that Ning Chun was talking about this, and knew that he could not refuse, so he had to follow and ordered the servant to return home to report the news.

There were only five people left on the field. Ning Chun looked at Cao Song, who was a little embarrassed. Seeing his expression, Cao Yong knew that there were naturally something that was not suitable for children in the Ruyi Painting Boat, and whispered to Cao Song: "The old lady is waiting for me to have dinner. The second brother will report to me and say that I will accompany the brothers in the world to eat outside!"

Cao Song was used to listening to Cao Yong's words, and responded in a silly voice, without asking why he didn't take him with him or something like nonsense.

Ning Chun had no intention of asking Yongqing, but he was by his side, so why did he say nothing about it? He could only laugh: "Brother Shi is willing to give me face, it's so interesting!"

Yongqing glanced at Ning Chun and turned to Cao Yong: "I will give you face, I will compete with you for archery!"

Although he called himself a "slave" in front of Kangxi, Cao Yong had not yet realized to be a "slave". Seeing the boy in front of him was so arrogant, he was very annoyed and said to Ning Chun: "I'm hungry, Brother Ning Shi, please beg for the guest. Is it time to set off!"

When Yongqing saw Cao Yong ignore him, he said angrily: "You are talking to you. How did Cao Yin teach a young slave? Do you know some rules? You are so mean!"

Yongqing's volume grew louder, which caused people to look at each other.

Cao Yong's eyes gradually became colder. If he only talked about him, he would not have the intention to fight against this ignorant young man; however, it was related to Cao Yin, and how could he tolerate it before everyone else?

"The Cao family is Baoyi, and the top and bottom are big slaves, but the royal slaves. I wonder which master of Zhengbaiqi is the one in front of me?" Cao Yong looked at Yongqing and said slowly.

Yongqing's face turned pale, and then he realized that he had lost his words. Among the Eight Banners, Zhengbai Banner and Zhenghuang Banner, and the Yellow Banner inlaid with the Yellow Banner were the three upper banners, and they were personally held by the emperor. Yongqing was only angry that Cao Yong's son, a fifth-rank official, was asked and praised by the emperor. The Cao family was also from a banana, but he did not want to not investigate for a while, and he violated the taboo.
Chapter completed!